Excellence Vs. Equality: Can Society Achieve Both Goals?

Excellence vs. Equality: Can Society Achieve Both Goals?

Excellence vs Equality: Can Society Achieve Both Goals? explores the issues faced by societies attempting to preserve democratic ideals and the common good in an era of incommensurate wealth and opportunity. As differences in advantage and ability affect the relationships between institutions and the people who comprise them, the book argues that political and social compromise is needed to prevent economic inequality from threatening the well-being and mobility of the less able and less fortunate. Topics include globalization, technology, innovation, talent and meritocracy, higher education, big business, labor unions, and social justice within educational and workplace settings. The author raises perennial and ever-prescient questions regarding how to balance excellence and equality, and how to reduce inequality around the world.

Review

"Excellence vs. Equality challenges us to consider a potential tradeoff between two socially valued goals and the strategies to address them jointly as well as the consequences of failing to do so. Ornstein presents historical, philosophical, technological, and empirical insights on the imperative and its policy options. For example, can universal identification and nurturing of talent from infancy through adulthood combine to promote excellence and greater equality? This well-written...